Tim McGraw is paying tribute to fellow country music star Toby Keith in the best way he knows how.
McGraw, 56, honored Keith on stage this week, after the “Red Solo Cup” singer died at age 62 on Monday, Feb. 5. He had been battling stomach cancer since late 2021.
Days after the tragic news, McGraw dedicated a performance to Keith while putting on a concert at Hard Rock Live at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood in Orlando, Fla., where he sang a special rendition of his hit song “Live Like You Were Dying.”
Before starting the song, McGraw shared kind words about his late friend , telling the audience, “Toby and I got to know each other pretty well early in our careers. We spent a lot of time hanging out on the bus, played some shows together.”
“Having to guard him in basketball wasn’t a lot of fun because he beat the s—t out of you,” he added with a laugh.
“But he was a really, really good guy,” McGraw continued, calling the late “I Love This Bar” crooner “a great artist” while the audience roared with cheers.